Calculating Raft Movement with Walking Boy

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the movement of a raft when a 32 kg boy walks 6 m across it. The raft weighs 59 kg and is 8 m wide. The principle of conservation of momentum is applied, with the center of mass remaining stationary throughout the boy's movement. The final calculation shows that the raft moves approximately 2.33 m in the opposite direction as the boy walks from one side to the other.

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Homework Statement


A 32 kg boy is standing on a 59 kg raft that is 8 m wide. He walks 6 m from a point 1.0 m from the left edge of the raft to a point 1.0 m from the right edge of the raft. If you ignore resistance of the water to the motion of the raft, how far does the raft move during this procedure


Homework Equations



F=ma
p=mv

No idea

The Attempt at a Solution



i draw a force diagram for it and looks like the one that will effect the movement of the boat is

F = friction force
but I have no idea what the friction constant is. and also will the mass affect the movement of the boat?

and I also don't have any velocity to use the equation of

m1v1 + m2v2 = m3v3
32(v1) + 0 = 91(v3)
 
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Smartguy94 said:

Homework Statement


A 32 kg boy is standing on a 59 kg raft that is 8 m wide. He walks 6 m from a point 1.0 m from the left edge of the raft to a point 1.0 m from the right edge of the raft. If you ignore resistance of the water to the motion of the raft, how far does the raft move during this procedure


Homework Equations



F=ma
p=mv

No idea

The Attempt at a Solution



i draw a force diagram for it and looks like the one that will effect the movement of the boat is

F = friction force
but I have no idea what the friction constant is. and also will the mass affect the movement of the boat?

and I also don't have any velocity to use the equation of

m1v1 + m2v2 = m3v3
32(v1) + 0 = 91(v3)


This is just a centre of mass question. The centre of mass of the system will remain stationary. The c of m of the two components moves. Where will they each finally be?
 
PeterO said:
This is just a centre of mass question. The centre of mass of the system will remain stationary. The c of m of the two components moves. Where will they each finally be?

x1 = (m1x1 + m2x2) / (m1+m2)
91(1) + 91(7) / (182)
x1 = 4m

uhmm i believe i did something wrong :confused:
 
Smartguy94 said:
x1 = (m1x1 + m2x2) / (m1+m2)
91(1) + 91(7) / (182)
x1 = 4m

uhmm i believe i did something wrong :confused:

suddenly the boy and raft have become 91 kg each?
 
PeterO said:
suddenly the boy and raft have become 91 kg each?

x1 = (m1x1 + m2x2) / (m1+m2)
x1 = (32(1) + 59(4)) / (91)
x1 = 2.725

x1 = (m1x1 + m2x2) / (m1+m2)
x1 = (32(7) + 59(4)) / (91)
x1 = 5.055

x = 5.055 - 2.725
x = 2.33m

but it's wrong, I'm confused where my error is
 
Last edited:
nvm, it was just a miscalculation, i got it now, thank you :)
 

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